'These injury scares are killing me': AB De Villiers warns RCB of big threat which might bust their IPL 2025 title dream

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 marked the dawn of a new chapter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with Rajat Patidar taking the reins as captain. Gujarat Titans' 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, guaranteed RCB's spot in the coveted IPL 2025 playoffs.

As RCB stand on the cusp of this crucial phase of the tournament, former RCB icon AB de Villiers has stepped forward to offer invaluable advice, drawing upon hard-won lessons from past disappointments. With the team displaying promising form and their long-cherished aspiration of clinching their maiden IPL trophy seemingly within reach, a note of caution has been sounded regarding potential injuries.

Just stay fit, these injury scares are killing me: AB De Villiers' advice for RCB players

De Villiers has apparently urged the RCB players to stay injury free and ensure they are fully prepared for the intense battles that lie ahead.

Even after his retirement from professional cricket, AB de Villiers has maintained a strong connection with his former franchise and their passionate fanbase.

“First of all, most importantly, just stay fit. Please, these injury scares are killing me. Really, like stop that now, all of you RCB players, get fit, stay fit, because I feel this is a great opportunity for us to go all the way this season. There’s momentum, there’s confidence, there’s a Virat Kohli, there’s an in-form team. Just stay on the park, please, people,” de Villiers said, as quoted by One Cricket.

ALSO READ: He should have captained India on England tour: Former India's head coach backs India's retired superstar

ALSO READ: 'Has Jasprit Bumrah said he won’t captain India?': Sanjay Manjrekar cites Rohit Sharma's example to weigh in on India's Test captaincy debate

Throughout the IPL's history, RCB have endured their share of agonizing defeats, with the final of 2016 remaining a particularly painful memory for the franchise and its supporters. As the team once again finds itself in the playoff stage, former star AB de Villiers has offered cautionary words rooted in these past experiences. He reminds the current squad that even seemingly minor errors can culminate in significant heartbreak, emphasizing the critical need for unwavering focus and sharpness, especially in the most crucial moments of the tournament.

“I mean, I can go back through all the knockouts and all the disappointments in my career, there were pivotal moments. Sometimes, still at night, I think of one or two games and I go like, ‘Ah, that was the moment.’ You didn’t realize it at the time, but always in hindsight, you look back and you go, ‘That was the moment.’ And it was so unpredictable, no one saw it coming,” De Villiers added.

“There was a stop in the field, or a no-ball at the wrong time, or a batter deciding to go from fifth gear to second gear just for a brief moment and then fire again. Little things like that. That will be my advice. Stay calm, use all the resources of the team the momentum, the confidence you’ve built throughout this season, and take that to those big moments. And go and win those big moments for the team all right,” the former RCB star concluded.

Despite having already secured their qualification for IPL 2025, RCB still have two matches remaining in the group stage of the tournament. Their final home game of the season is scheduled for May 23, where they will face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).